she used to look after her grand child while the parents, daughter and husband went to work. the robot reawakened such feelings in her. she began treating the seal like her grand child. little by little her emotional ups and downs have eased. she gets angry much less often. her nighttime wandering all but cease after s began sleeping with the robot in her arms. this has brought huge relief to the overnight staff. with the robot she is also recovering her physical strength. before she needed assistance to walk even a short way. now she can walk around the facility on her own. the robot helps the home in other ways. >> translator: conversation with people with dementia is difficult but the robot makes them laugh. we find it very useful. >> reporter: around the world aging and shrinking populations face many challenges. japan's care giving robots may help. >>> acadmy award winner takes the show. >> reporter: take a look at the bowls floating. now listen. when the bowls collide you hea a bell like sound. it never changes. the movement of the water changes the music and this isn't